Storm window and panel attachment

Abstract

An improved method of installing a storm window in a prime window includes application of locking clips at predetermined locations around the frame of the prime window. The storm window is positioned over the prime window and swung into place, whereupon the storm window frame snaps and is locked into place by the clips. Bulb seals around the storm window frame compress between the storm window frame and the frame of the prime window to insure a complete and reliable seal against the elements and maximize sound abatement.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A prime window and storm window combination comprising:
 a prime window having a window frame defined by side jambs, a head jamb, a sill, and a plurality of inwardly projecting tabs, the plurality of inwardly projecting tabs together with at least the side and head jambs defining a peripheral pocket, the frame of the prime window further defining a channel; 
 a storm window having a frame formed of top and bottom rails and left and right stiles, the frame supporting a glazing unit; 
 the frame of the storm window being at least partially disposed in the pocket defined by the plurality of inwardly projecting tabs and being configured to define an attachment feature, and with at least a portion of the frame of the storm window being disposed within the channel; 
 at least one clip mounted around one of the plurality of inwardly projecting tabs; 
 the at least one clip having a projection removably disposed within the attachment feature of the frame of the storm window to hold the storm window in place within the pocket. 
 
     
     
       2. The combination of  claim 1  and further comprising a gasket disposed between the frame of the storm window and the frame of the prime window. 
     
     
       3. The combination of  claim 2  and wherein the gasket comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
       4. The combination of  claim 3  and wherein the gasket comprises a bulb seal. 
     
     
       5. The combination of  claim 1  and wherein the channel is formed along the head jamb of the prime window and wherein the top rail of the frame of the storm window is disposed in the channel. 
     
     
       6. The combination of  claim 5  and wherein the at least one clip comprises a pair of clips each secured to an inwardly projecting tab extending from a respective side jamb of the prime window frame. 
     
     
       7. The combination of  claim 6  and wherein the clips are secured to the inwardly-projecting tabs adjacent the sill of the prime window frame. 
     
     
       8. The combination of  claim 1  and wherein the clip is made of a resilient material that urges the projection of the clip into engagement with the attachment feature of the frame of the storm window. 
     
     
       9. The combination of  claim 8  and wherein the clip is made of metal. 
     
     
       10. The combination of  claim 9  and wherein the clip is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
       11. The combination of  claim 1  and wherein the attachment feature of the frame comprises a groove formed at least partially around a periphery of the frame. 
     
     
       12. The combination of  claim 11  and wherein the projection of the clip comprises a tang formed on the clip, the tang extending into the groove. 
     
     
       13. The combination of  claim 11  and wherein the projection comprises a latch formed on the clip, the latch extending into the groove. 
     
     
       14. The combination of  claim 1  and wherein the glazing unit comprises at least one movable glazing unit for opening the storm window for ventilation. 
     
     
       15. The combination of  claim 14  and further comprising an insect screen on the storm window overlying at least the movable glazing unit. 
     
     
       16. The combination of  claim 1  and wherein the plurality of inwardly projecting tabs further comprises a plurality of jamb stops and wherein the clip is secured to at least one of the jamb stops of the prime window. 
     
     
       17. The combination of  claim 1  and wherein the clip includes a U-shaped mounted portion that is secured around the inwardly projecting tab of the prime window. 
     
     
       18. The combination of  claim 1  and wherein the storm window is disposed on an exterior side of the prime window. 
     
     
       19. A method of installing a storm window having a frame onto a prime window having a frame, the frame of the storm window being defined by top and bottom rails and left and right stiles and the frame of the prime window being defined by side jambs, a head jamb, a sill, and at least one inwardly projecting tab, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) securing at least one clip to the at least one inwardly-projecting tab of the frame of the prime window; 
 (b) locating a rail or a stile of the frame of the storm window in the frame of the prime window at a side jamb, the head jamb, or the sill to which the at least one clip is not secured; 
 (c) rotating the storm window progressively into the frame of the prime window until the frame of the storm window engages the clip; and 
 (d) urging the storm window into the frame of the prime window until the clip attaches to the frame of the storm window to hold the storm window in place in the prime window. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  and wherein the at least one inwardly projecting tab of the frame further comprises a jamb stop and wherein step (a) comprises securing the clip to the jamb stop. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19  and wherein step (a) comprises securing two clips to the frame of the prime window with one clip being secured to an inwardly projecting tab extending from one side jamb and the other clip being secured to an inwardly projecting tab extending from the opposite side jamb. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  and wherein the clips are secured to the inwardly projecting tabs adjacent the sill of the prime window. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22  and wherein step (b) comprises locating the top stile of the storm window frame at the head jamb of the prime window. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23  and wherein step (c) comprises rotating the storm window about the top stile of its frame. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 19  and further comprising the step of disposing a gasket between the frame of the storm window and the frame of the prime window to form a seal in step (d). 
     
     
       26. A storm window attachment system comprising:
 a prime window having a frame with a wall and a plurality of inwardly-projecting tabs that together define a panel receiving pocket of the frame, the frame of the prime window further including a channel formed along one side of the panel receiving pocket for receiving and securing one edge of the storm window; 
 a storm window panel having a frame formed with a peripheral clip receiving feature; 
 a springable clip having a mounting portion configured to mount the clip to the plurality of inwardly-projecting tabs and a spring biased leg projecting from the mounting portion into the pocket adjacent the wall thereof; and 
 a projection formed on the leg of the clip configured to engage with the clip receiving feature of the storm window panel when the panel is moved into the pocket of the prime window. 
 
     
     
       27. The system according to  claim 26  further comprising a shim receiving slot formed in the leg of the clip configured to allow passage of a shim between the leg and the wall of the prime window frame to lock the projection in the attachment feature when the storm window is disposed in the prime window frame. 
     
     
       28. The system according  claim 27  and further comprising a shim configured to be inserted through the shim receiving slot. 
     
     
       29. The system according to  claim 26  and further comprising a sub-frame attached to the prime window for adapting the configuration of the prime window to the configuration of the storm window panel.